Anson mills



A. MILLS". GARTRIDGB BELT.

, Patented Aug; 2.o, 1867*.

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TO ALL WHO IT MY CONCERN:

Be it known that :[,NSON MILLS, captain eighteenth infantry, and brevet lieutenant colonel, United States Army, have invented anew and useful Belt for Metallic Cartridges; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full and exact description thereof7 reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my metallic cartr`idge-belt, with a portion of the flap raised, showing the arrangement of thimbles or cartridge receptacles beneath it, and illustrating also the manner of adjusting the length of the belt. y v

Figure 2 is a vertical central section, taken transversely through the belt and one of the receptacles.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of a series of light cylindrical receptacles, an, for cartridges, with a pliable belt, A, to be worn about the waist, with or without shoulder-straps, and which may readily be lcngthencd o`1 shortened, to lit the wearer closely and comfortably.

The belt A consists of a light, pliable band, which I prefer to make of leather of one or morethiclcnesses, but which may be made ofcanvas or webbing, or other suitable fabric. The ends of this band pass through slots in the ends, respectively, of a metallic clasp or hook, B, and of a catch or eye, C, and are each folded back under a retainirg strip, e, on the inside of the band, and are secured by means of a hook, D, engaging in holes pierced therein. Thus, by drawing in or letting out these ends folded back as described, the band cou- SL!l1,1g-.l1GllCltI.11ly,`lL QLLLililymshnntmsled .oi' lengthcned at pleasure, and...the.,belt be nevertheless at all times readily clasped about the waist. To the outer side of this belt or band A I secure cylindrical receptacles, (l a, of the proper diamcterto receive and embrace closely the ordinary metallic cartridges in use in the service. I prefer to make these receptacles of a strip of leather, or of 'soinestout pliable fabric of a width about equal to the length -of a metallic cartridge. This strip is stitched to the outer face of the band into a series of cylindrical loops of equal diameters, which thus form suitable receptacles for thc cartridges, and add but little to the weight of thebclt.v The loops may be left open at the bottom as well as at the top, the cartridges beingretaincd therein by means of their projecting flanges. To protect thecartridges, when placed in this belt, from rain and dust, I provide a flap of leather or water-proof fabric, F, and stitch one edge of it along the belt over'.- the top of the loops a, forming the receptacles, leaving it free to fold and drop over them, or the flap may be first-secured to the band, and the receptacles thereafter placed thereon, so that the flap shall beheld between these receptacles and the band. To facilitate theready 'openine' of the Hap, and to permit accessto a portion of the cartridges without exposure of the remainder, I prefer to divide or separate it into two or more sections. The ends of the vflap are fastened down and secured at' pleasure, by means of buttons S 'or other devices.- A very thin metallic strip may be used for forming the receptacles a, or they may be each formed separately and fastened'side by side to the belt, the pliability of the bplt being preserved by the fact that each receptacle is secured thereto along a single line running tra-nsversely'or at right angles to its length.

My metallic cartridge-belt, made as described, isnot only lighterthanjthe ordinary cartridges-boxes in use, but the weight of the cartridges therein is equally distributed ou all sides of the body, instead ef being concentratedat-a single point. By its pliability it yields and conforms also to every movement of the body,

so that there is no jar or concussion therefrom under any circumstances. Where desired, the ordinary shoulderstraps 'may be secured thereto, so that a portion of its weight, when filled, shall be supported from the shoulders Vthe wearer. Its adjustable'fastcnings admit of any one belt being worn with comfort by different persons.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination and arrangement ofa series of receptacles a a for metallic cartridges with a pliable band or belt, A, formed and fitted to be worn about the body, substantially as herein set forth.

The foregoing specification of my improved cartridge-belt signed by me this Erst day of April, 1867.

' ANSON MILLS,

Brcz'ct Lieutenant Colonel United States Army. W'itnesses J. VAN ALLEN CARTER, A. S. BURT, Captain. TzUentg/#Seventt Lzftmtry. 

